Carton assembling machine



3 9 1948- L. E. LA BOMBARD 2,444,515

CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6, 1948.

L. E. LA BOMBARD CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 25, 1944 L. E. LA BOMBARD CARTON ASSEMBLING' MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 23,4 1944 Z EfIaBoflzZzard viiivwnega July 6, 1948.

L. E. LA BOMBARD CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 feweeaov: eon 1Z1 iafloeubwzi, 6925M JM 521mm;

fl'iva weg w Jufly 6, 1948. L. E. LA BOMBARD CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 23, 1944 end of a tubular body to Patented July 6, 1948 ES PATNT OFFICE 2,444,515 CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Leon E. La Bombard, Nashua,

The International pany, Nashua, N. Hampshire N. H., assignor to Paper Box Machine Com- H., a corporation of New 24 Claims.

This invention relates to machines forassembling a closure member forming a bottom in one form a carton, such as a container for ice cream, in which the tubular body has at one end an extension formed by slitting or notching said end and a locking ring around which the extensions are folded and a closure diskfitting theb-ody clamping the ends of the extensions between it and the locking ring, thereby forming a tight jointwhich will not require the use of an adhesive or other fastening means.

Usually such containers or cartonsare shipped or stored in knockdown condition, the tubular body being collapsed and it and the locking ring and closure packaged in flat condition and assembled at the place where they are to be used.

Heretofore the assemblage of the closure members on cartons of this character has been performed manually by folding the extensions inwardly around the ring and then forcing the closure member against the inturned end portions of the extensions clamping them between the closure member and the ring. In some instances a manually operable jig has beenemployed to aid in folding the extensions around the ring and clamping the closure member upon them. In either case considerable time is required to accomplish the purpose, and satisfactory results have not been obtained. The object of the present invention is to provide rapidly operated automatic mechanism for assembling closures upon carton bodies of this character.

The principal object of the present invention member within the carton body.

More specifically the objects of the invention are to provide means for rigidly supporting the carton body with a locking ring held at the base of the extensions and providing yieldable means Within the body for supporting the closure member in combination with reciprocating forming mechanism having for first bending the extensions inwardly, thereupon spacing the closure member from the locking folding the extensions around the ring, and thereafter clamping the infolded ends of the extensions between the locking ring and the closure member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine having a plurality of circularly arranged members for supporting the carton body and the closure movable respectively into" axial alinement with the reciprocatingforming mechanism aforesaid.

Another object of the invention is toyprovide means operable by a single rotation of the. driving shaft for reciprocating the members of the forming mechanism in propcrsequence. to effect ;the assemblage of the closure member and body as aforesaid.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for insuring a single rotation ofth'e driving shaft.

Another object of the invention isto provide mechanism for automatically locking the cartonsupporting vmechanism in assembling position when moved'into such position.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a construction. in which the upwardmovement of the carton body supporting mechani-smflupon completion of the assembling operation will; release the locking mechanismtherebyto permit another carton supporting mechanism to'. be moved into assemblingrposition.

mechanism and operableupon release of thelocking mechanism to arrestthe-operation of v the forming mechanism upon the c0mp1etion.0f, a single revolution of the driving.shaft, thereby renderingthe machine wholly automatic .upon positioning of the carton supportingmeans in assembling position.

These and other objects and features ofjthe invention will more fully. appear. from thefollowing descriptionand the accompanyingdrawings and will be particularly pointeclout in the claims.

.A preferred embodiment of theinventionis illustrated in the accompanying drawings,v in which,

. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailview, .mainly .in vertical section, of the forming. mechanismand the means for actuating the same, illustrating position .preparatory to the inward bending of .thebody extension with the closuremember held in proximity to the locking ring;

Figs 3 is asimilar. view illustrating the:p0sit-i0n of t e extension the under face of. the lockingri-ng;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on broken line 4-4 Fig. 2, viewed downwardly;

Fig, 5- is an. enlarged detail; vertical sectional view of-theend portion of the'carton bodyand the extensions thereof showing the manner in which the lockin ring is supported upon said body and the position of the closure member preparatory to the operation of the forming mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, mainly in vertical section, of the mechanism for locking the vertical spindle of the turret in assembling position and showing the switch mechanism for controlling an electric circuit governing the operation of the forming mechanism; v

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view of the same on line 1-1, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 Fig. 7 viewed downwardly;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view. partially in vertical section, illustrating the electrically controlled mechanism for causing a single rotation of the driving shaft which operates the forming mechanism; a Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 9 on the broken line Ill-l Fig. 9. viewed. from the left toward the right;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig, 10, the bracket for supporting the same being shown in section; and,

Fig. 12 is a detail view, mainly diagrammatic, illustrating the electrical connection between the locking mechanism for the carton-supporting means and the mechanism for actuating the forming mechanism.

The present invention relates to a machine for assembling cartons such as containers for ice cream and the like which comprises a tubular, preferably cylindrical, collapsible body of paperboard or other suitable material having one end slitted or notched longitudinally to provide a series of extensions which are foldable around a locking ring, preferably of like material, with a closure member, such as a disk, tightly fitting the body at the base of the extensions and adapted to b frictionally supported thereby or preferably by a rib indented in the body adjacent to the bases of the extensions.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and of the drawings the body I of the cylinder is of cylindrical form with a flat locking ring 2 supported upon an indented rib 3 at the base of the series of foldable extensions 4. The extensions desirably are provided approximately midway of their length with a weakened line 5 formed by externall indenting the extensions.

The assembling machine illustrated herein comprises a base 6 having suitably spaced integral tubular stands 1 and 8 in which are fixedly secured vertical preferably cylindrica1 standards 9 and [0 which are connected at their upper ends by a yoke H in which is mounted means for reciprocating vertically suitable forming mechanism for bending the body extensions inwardly and thereafter folding the same around the looking ring 2, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Suitable mechanism for supporting a circular series of carton-supporting means adapted to be moved into axial alinement with the forming mechanism are provided to permit the loading of a carton upon one support while the forming mechanism is folding the extensions around the ring and clamping a closure member thereupon and the carton is adapted to be removed from another of the supporting means during said assembling operation. In the construction illustrated herein a turret l2 having three radial arms I3 is rotatably mounted preferably upon one of the standards 9. Each of the arms I3 is provided at its end with vertically split socket member M which is adapted to receive and be firmly clamped upon a vertical spindle l5. Means for supporting the cartons vertically are adjustably mounted upon the spindles l5. Preferably such supporting means I6 are of conoidal form having a horizontal periphery and provided with a downwardly extending split sleeve I! which is suitably clamped upon the spindle l5 to permit adjustment of the supporting means vertically in accordance with the length of the carton body, the extensions of which are to be acted upon by the forming mechanism. A tubular leeve i8 is slidably mounted in the upper portion of the spindle l5 and has secured to its upper end a plate i9 conforming to the inner contour of and slidably fitting within the carton body and adapted to support a closure member or disk forming the bottom of the carton when assembled (Fig. 1).

In the preferred construction the sleeve is is internally screw threaded and mounted upon the end of a screw threaded rod 2| which extends axially downwardly through the spindle and through a companion sleeve 22 (Figs. 6 and '7) which is expanded or otherwise rigidly secured in the lower end of the spindle and has an extension 23 which projects below the arm 13 of the trunnion I2 and is slabbed on (Fig. 8) to provide parallel sides 24 and 25, the extensions thus formed being adapted to engage a suitable socket in a locking plunger hereinafter to be described. The extension 23 is provided with an axial recess 25 and the rod 2| has secured to its end a nut 21 adapted to move longitudinally of the recess and to limit the upward movement of the rod 2!. A heavy spiral spring 28 is interposed between the upper end of the sleeve 22 and the lower end of the sleeve l8 and serves normally to force the sleeve l8 upwardly until arrested by engagement of the nut 21 with the upper wall of the recess 26, thus yieldably supporting the plate l9 which carries the closure member 20.

The complementary locking member, which c0- operates with the extension 23 of the sleeve 22, desirably is in the form of a hollow boss 29 which extends upwardly from the base 6 axially of the forming mechanism. A plunger 30 is reciprocably mounted in the boss and normally forced upwardly by a spiral spring 3|, the lower end of which is seated upon a pin 32 which is mounted in the base and extends transversely of the hollow boss, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The upper end of the plunger 39 is provided with a socket complementary to the extension 23 of the sleeve 22 and one of the thicker sides of the wall of the socket has a beveled upper end 33 adapted when the turret is rotated to be engaged by the lower end of the spindle extension 23 and force the plunger downwardly until the extension 23 is in alinement with the socket in the plunger, whereupon the spring 3| will cause the plunger to snap into locking engagement with the extension and retain the spindle carrying the loaded carton in proper alinement with the reciprocating forming mechanism.

The forming mechanism is provided with means hereinafter described to force the closure member and the disk which carries it downwardly during the folding of the carton extensions about the locking ring. Such downward movement forces the sleeve 18 and the rod 21 downwardly so that the nut 21 engages the bottom of the socket in the plunger and forces it downwardly until the upper 5 end of the plunger is below the end; of the extension 23 of the sleeve 22, thus unlocking the spindle.

Suitable means are provided for locking the plunger in lowered position when thus depressed. In the present construction the boss 29 is provided with a vertical slot34 and the plunger 33 has secured to it a pin 35 which extends through the slot 34. A lever 38. which is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 3'! extending horizontally through a lateral extension 38 in the boss, is nor mally forced into engagement with the pin 35 by a coiled spring 39 one end of which is secured to the shaft 37 and the other end of which is secured to the lever as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. The lever 33 is provided with a slot 43 so positioned as to receive the pin 35 when the plungeris depressed and lock the plunger in depressed position below the path of the extension of the sleeve 22. The upper end of the lever 36 extends above the boss 28 and is adapted to be engaged by the extension 23 of the sleeve when released from the socket in the plunger. when the spindle is swung from assembling position after completion of the assembling operation, thereby enabling the next spindle of .the turret, which in the meantime has been loaded with another carton, to be swung into assembling position and locked therein in the manner aforesaid.

One or the objects of the invention is to provide means for automatically initiating and continuing; the action of the forming mechanism when the loaded spindle is swung into and locked in sembling postion, and for arresting the actuation of the forming mechanism upon completion. of the assembling operation. This is accomplished by providing the locking plunger 3!} with means for actuating a switch controlling an electric current operable when the plunger is in locking engagement with the extension 23 of the spindle to complete an electric circuit which controls the mechanism for actuating the forming mechanism.

In the construction illustrated herein, Figs. 1,v G, 7 and 8, the plunger is provided with a vertical slot in which a lever 41 is mounted upon a. pin 32 and normally forced toward the base of the slot by a spring 33. The upper end of the lever All is provided with a beveled edge M adapted to be engaged by the extension 23 of the spindle sleeve 22 when the plunger is raised into locking engagement with it. The opposite edge of the lever 4! is adapted to engage a rod 35 which actuates a micro switch contained in a casing 36 which ismounted upon a suitable stand 47 secured to and extending upwardly from the base 55. The micro switch is adapted to control an electric circuit 38, which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 12, which leads to a solenoid 49 which controls, the opera tion of the forming mechanism as will hereinafter be described.

The operation of the switch mechanism is as follows: When a spindle is swung to assembling position and the lower end of. the extension 23 engages the beveled upper end 33 0f the locking plunger 38, the plunger 30 is depressed until the extension 23 registers with the socket in the plunger but not .sufficient to cause its pin 35 to enter the slot 43 in the lever 35, whereupon the plunger is snapped upwardly by the force of the spring 3i. At this time the beveled edge 44 of the switch-actuating lever Al is engaged by the extension 23 and swung outwardly, thereby forcing the rod 45 in a direction to complete the electrlc circuit which controls the operation of the forming mechanism and continues to maintain completion ofv the circuit until the plunger is the plunger-30 is depressed completion of the operation scribed. When. the turret further dep es ed by-the .rOd- 2|, atthecoml letion ofthe; operation of the formingmechanism sufliciently' toscause the pin to.enter-theslot. in the springactuated lever 36 thereby locking the plunger--30, in its lowermost position. When by the-rod-Zl. at the oftheforming mechanismthe beveled end. of the lever:4lis;diS-

engaged from the extension 23 of theflispindle the spring 3| to raise the plungerso that its inclined. face 33 will. beengaged by the. sleeve extension 23 of the next succeeding-spindle when it approaches axial alinement with the-forming mechanism.

The. forming mechanism The forming mechanism comprises a vertically ireciprocable member for bending inwardlythe extensions of the carton for clampingthe ends when foldedabout. the lockbody and havingmeans ing ring firmly against the face of the lockingring next adjacent to the closure member,.,;and also comprises relatively movablemechanism concentrio with and reciprocabl relatively, to thelbending mechanism having means forfolding theextensions closely around the locking ring preparatory tothe clamping of theextensions' upon the locking ring bythe cl'osure disk.

Suitable means, operated by asingle revolution of the driving shaft, are-.provided-for actuating the respective members of the forming mechanism to effect the assembling-operation -and described.

The mechanism forbending inwardly the upwardly projecting extensions of the carton body comprises an annular cross head which has an integral sleeve or bearing 5| which'slidably fits upon the vertical cylindrical standard 9 and a s diametrically opposite extension 52 which slidably fits upon the vertical standard in. An annular ring 53 is secured to the under face of the cross head 58 and is provided with a downwardly, and outwardly inclined face 54 which serves as the cross head is depressed to engage and bend-the extensions 4 or the carton body inwardly and to clamp the body firmly upon the periphery ofthe closure disk-2B. The cross head 50 is alsoprovided with an upper annular plate 55 :which extends inwardly beyond the inner periphery ofthe ring 53 and is provided near its inner. end :with a downwardly curved face 56 and a. flat inner under surface 51 which acts in cooperation-with the support for the carton closure member to clamp the end portions of the extensions firmly 55, and thereby to extend inwardly sufficiently to aid, upon depression of the cross head 50, in bending the extensions of the carton inwardly and enable the end portions of the extensions to be engaged by the mechanism for folding the same around the locking ring. The spring 58 also serves to 'constrict the body upon the periphery of the locking ring and hold it in place during the separation of the closure disk therefrom as will more'fully appear hereinafter.

The vertical reciprocation of the cross head may be accomplished by any suitable mechanism. As illustrated herein the sleeve or bearing member 51 has an upwardly extending portion 59 having at its upper end a follower 68 which engages a groove in a cam 6| which is secured to a driving shaft 62 which is journaled in suitable bearings 63 and 64 in the yoke H.

The mechanism for folding the end portions of the extension 4 of the carton around the locking ring 2 comprises a vertically reciprocable hub which is concentric with the extension bending mechanism and relatively movable mechanism for folding the inwardly bent extensions around the locking ring 2.

In the construction illustrated the yoke H has a central downwardly extending reinforced column .65 having a flanged lower end 66 to which is bolted a journal 61 for the driving shaft 62. The journal member 61 has an integral vertical tubular column 68 upon which a sleeve 65 is slidably mounted and has secured to its lower end a head 10 having. an outwardly and upwardly inclined flange H provided at its end with a flat edge 12 adapted to be engaged by laterally swinging arms for bending the end portions of the carton extensions beneath and against the looking ring. The sleeve 69 is provided adjacent its upper end with a radially extending follower 13 desirably provided with a roller 14 which engages a cam groove in a cam 15 which is fixedly secured to the driving shaft 62.

The folding mechanism comprises a sleeve 16 which is slidably mounted upon the sleeve (58 and provided with an annular boss Ii having a relatively narrow annular extension 18. The extension and boss are provided with radial slots 19 which form guides for a circular series of folding arms 86 which are pivotally mounted at their upper ends upon a ring 8| which is mounted in the upper portion of the boss. A circular spiral spring 82, which is mounted in a suitable horizontal recess in the extensions of the boss,

engages the outer edges of the levers 8G and tends to hold them normally in substantially vertical position. The lower end of each of the arms 8% has an integral downwardly and outwardly folding section 83 the under faces of which are adapted to engage the edge 12 of the head H, as shown in Fig. 2, when the sleeve 16 is forced downwardly relatively to the sleeve 69 of the head H. The upper end portion of the sleeve 16 is provided with a laterally extending follower 84 which is locateddiametrically opposite to the follower i3 and which engages a suitable cam groove of a cam 85. which is fixedly secured to the driving shaft 6.

I The cam BI is so constructed that upon each revolution of the driving shaft 52 the cam 64 will force the cross head 50 downwardly and thereby cause the inwardly bent face 54 of the ring 52 and the contracted spring 58 to bend the extensions of the carton inwardly over the looking ring 2 in a position to be engaged by the lateral extensions 83 of the folding arms 88.

The cam 15 is so constructed that during said revolution of the driving shaft 52 it will force the sleeve 69 downwardly and cause its head 18 to engage the closure member 20 which is supported upon the yieldable plate 19 and sleeve it of the spindle and force them downwardly to space the closure member a sufficient distance from the locking ring, which is held in place by the pressure of the cylindrically coiled spring 58, to permit the lateral extensions 83 of the folding arms to bend the end portions of the carton extensions outwardly. Such downward movement of the sleeve 16 causes the sections 83 of the folding arms 82 to engage the edge of the head H and upon further downward movement of the sleeve 1'6 to swing the folding arms outwardly against the resistance of the circular spring 82 until the sections 83 fold the extensions of the carton firmly against the under face of the locking ring '2, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The groove of the cam 85 is so constructed as thereupon to move the sleeve "16 upwardly relatively to the sleeve 89 of the head thereby permitting the folding arms to be moved out of engagement with the edge 12 of the head H and to be withdrawn inwardly by the annular coiled spring 82 sufficiently to clear the locking ring 2 and the carton extensions 6 which are folded about the locking ring.

Inasmuch as the cams 6!, l5, and 85, are so constructed that one revolution of the driving shaft 62 will cause them to reciprocate the respective forming elements in a sequence to fold the carton extensions around the locking ring and enable the closure member to clamp said extensions upon the ring and thereby complete the assemblage of the closure member and carton, means are provided for revolving the driving shaft 62 one revolution and arresting it at the end of such revolution.

Any suitable single revolution clutch may be employed for this purpose. However, in order to insure accuracy a special clutch and brake mechanism is employed in the present construction.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 and in detail in Figs. 9-12 the shaft 52 has rotatably mounted upon it a continuously driven sprocket wheel 86 to which is fixedly secured a disk 81 having a series of equally spaced recesses 88 provided with radial walls which are adapted to be releasably engaged by a spring-pressed pawl which is secured to the driving shaft and which upon engagement with one of the recesses 88 will couple the shaft to the sprocket wheel. Means are provided for releasing the pawl from such engagement at the end of a single revolution of the driving shaft 62 and braking means, hereinafter described, are provided for overcoming the inertia of the rotating shaft 62 and the mechanisms actuated thereby to insure proper positioning of the forming mechanism for the next assembling operation.

In the construction as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 the clutch pawl 89 is fixedly secured to one end of a shaft 91) which is journaled in a bearing 9| in a wide arcuate end 97-! of an arm 83 having a split hub 94 which is fixedly clamped upon the driving shaft 62 by a cap screw 95. The other end of the shaft 9:! has fixedly secured to it a pawl releasing arm 9%, preferably in the form of a rectangular plate, which is inclined to the axis of the shaft 62 and adapted upon rotation of the shaft to engage a bolt 91' which is slidably mounted in a boss 88 extending laterally from a panel or casing which extends downwardly and preferably is integral with the yoke II of the frame and-which supports automatically operated bolt actuating mechanism hereinafter described.- The bolt a circumferential groove adapted to be engaged by means for withdrawing the bolt from the path of the latch releasing arm.

A compression spring 99, which engages the opposite end of the bolt 91,- tends normallyto position the bolt in the path of the pawl-releasing arm 90, and'a spring I00, which is secured at one end=to a stud I in the and at its opposite end'to with the bolt 91 as the driving shaft 00 approaches the end of a single revolution.

Electrically operated mechanism which is automatically controlled by the microswitch of the spindle locking mechanism as heretofore described is employed for w hdrawing the bolt from the path of the pawl-releasing arm 90.

umn I03 and the core vided at its lower end is slidably mounted I04 of the solenoid is prowith a cross head I05 which between vertical guides I00 and I01 which are secured to the column. A pawl I08, which is pivotally cross head I05 midway of its width, with a hooked lower end having a shoulder I09 and a beveled edge actuate a toggle-like the bolt 91 from the As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9 the toggle-like mechanism is mounted upon otally connected together H4 is pivotally mounted upon a stud II5 projecting from the plate II I and the link I I2 is connected to a stud II6 On a lever otally mounted upon a stud the plate I II. A stud I I9, which projects from the side of the lever I I1, engages the groove in the locking bolt 91; A spring I20, which is connected to the link II 4 and to a stud I2I, tends normally to hold the toggle links II2 and H0 in substan- II1 which is piv- H8 projecting from ing arm 96.

The link II 4 is provided beyond the pivot pin H3 with a shouldered'extension I22 which is adapted to be engaged by the shoulder I09 of the pawl I08 when the latter is moved upwardly by upon completion of the electric circuit 48 (Fig; 12); When the solenoid circuit is broken the solenoid-core and pawl I08 will drop by gravity and the inclined edge will ride over the extension I22 of the link I M and-the shoulder I09 of the pawl will be positioned by the spring I23 I22 of thelink ben'eaththe shouldered extension I t G 'as'shown in Fig. 12.

A spring I23, which is connected to the pawl a'stud projecting movement of the the links H2 and l I t'and withdrawing the 'locking'stud 91 from'engagement with the-pawl-releasingarm 90. and permitting the pawl 00 to engage a recess' 'in the releasing arm 00. At will'draw the toggle links I I2 and I I l downwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 12. I

As the arm 93 approaches a complete revolution the pawl-releasing mentwith the recess unclutching the driving et wheel 06." p Inasmuch as the driving shaft 62 and the parts which end'of a single revolution.

In the construction shown herein a suitable brake shoeI25, which is mounted upon an arcuate" brake arm I20 the same time'the spring I 20:

the arm, 93 as downward movement of the brake shoe so that it cannot be forced downwardly below the position in which it engages the arcuate end 92 of the arm 93 when the arcuate end of said arm is rotated beyond the field of engagement on the brake. By proper adjustment of the limitin screw- I38 a desired predetermined pressure may beapplied by the brake to the arcuate end 92 of the driving shaft approaches the end of av single revolution thereby overcoming the momentum of the cam shaft and the parts carried thereby and avoiding any substantial shock in arresting shaft at such position as theqforming mechanism assembling operation.

In the operation of the device a carton I is mounted upon the support of a spindle of the turret next in advance of assembling position as shown in Fig. 1. The closure member 20 is placed upon the plate l9 which is positioned at the base of the extensions 4 and the locking ring 2 is superimposed upon the closure member, as illustrated in Fig.5, in such position that it rests upon and is supported by the rib 3 (Fig. 5) or is frictionally held by engagement of the periphery of the rin 2 with the body at the base of the extensions in the absence of the rib 3. The turret is then rotated manually to place the carton-supporting spindle in assembling position. During such rotative movementthe extension 23 of the sleeve 22 which projects below the turret engages the inclined surface 33 (Fig. 7) of the plunger 3:] and depresses the plunger until the extension 23 comes into alinement with the socket in the plunger, whereupon the plunger spring 3| forces the plunger upwardly thereby snapping the plunger socket into engagement with the spindle extension 23, thus fixedly securing the carton in assembling position.

As the plunger thus will accurately position properly for the next springs upwardly the switch actuating lever Al is engaged by the lower end of the extension 23 and is forced laterally thereby pressing the switch-actuating rod 45 in a direction to cause the micro switch to close the electric circuit 48 (Fig. 12), and energize the'solenoid 49. The solenoid when thus energized draws its core I04 upwardly thus raising the pawl I08 and causing its hook-shaped end to engage the shoulder I09 on the extension of the toggle arm H4, thereby breaking the toggle and actuating the lever H1 to withdraw the looking stud 91 from engagement with the pawl releasing arm or plate 96, and permitting the pawl 88 to engage a socket 88 in the disk 89 which is continuously rotated by the sprocket wheel 86, thus connecting the arm 93, which is fixedly secured to the cam shaft 62, to the continuously rotating sprocket 86 and causing the rotation of the driving shaft 62. The cams on the driving shaft 62 are so constructed that the cam Bl first forces downwardl the cross head 58 having the mechanisms for bending the extension of the carton thereby causing the inclined face 54 of the extensions of the carton body and together with the circular spring 58 to bend the extensions inwardly. At the downward limit of the movement of the cross head 50 the'circular spring 58 contracts the wall of the body I upon the periphery of the locking ring 2 thereby holding it firmly while the closure member 20 is forced downwardly sufficiently to permit the extensions to be folded around the ring.

The cams l5 and 85 respectively are so constructed as to force the sleeve 89 having the head 10 and the sleeve 16 carrying the folding arms downwardly in such timed relation as to force the closure member 29 and its yieldable support downwardly to space the closure member from the locking ring sufficiently to enable the extensions to be folded around the locking ring and thereupon to enable the folding arms to wrap the extensions about the locking ring 2.

More specifically during its downward movement the head 18 engages the closure member 28 and forces it and its supporting disk and the sleeve l8 of the spindle downwardly. Downward movement of the sleeve iii of the folding mechanism causes the beveled lower ends of the fold ing arms 80 to engage the inclined surface 12 of the head and to swing the folding arms 80 outwardly so that their lateral extensions 83 will wrap the extensions firmly around the inner edge of and against the under side of the locking ring 2.

As the closure 28 and its supporting plate 19 is forced downwardly by the head if! the rod 2| which is secured to the plate I9 is forced downwardly so that the nut 21 on its lower end engages the base of the socket in the plunger 30 and forces the plunger downwardly until the pin 35 on the plunger enters the slot Gil in the locking lever 36 which is swung into locking position by the spring 39. Such downward movement of the plunger 39 releases the switch actuating lever 4| from engagement with the end of the extension 23 of the sleeve 22 in the lower end of the carton-supporting spindle and permits the spring 63, which acts upon the lever M, to release the microswitch mechanism and thereby break the electric circuit to the solenoid and permit its core, the cross head and pawl carried thereby to drop to a position in which it will be ready again to actuate the toggle to withdraw the locking bolt 81 upon the next energization of the solenoid.

As the driving shaft 62 continues to rotate the sleeve 69, whose head it engages the closure member 29, is raised and the spring 28 in the spindle causes the closure supporting plate iii and the closure carried by it to follow the head until the closure supporting member 18 presses the closure disk 20 against the inturned ends of the carton extension and firmly clamps them against the under face of the locking ring, the inward extensions 51 of the bending mechanism being at this time held firmly in position by the cam ti.

During the upward movement of the sleeve 16, produced by the cam 85, the folding arms 89 which are pivotally mounted on the sleeve 16 are swung inwardly by the cylindrical spring 82 within the aperture of the locking ring 2. Continuing upward movement of the sleeves t9 and "Hi produced respectively by the earns 15 and 85 raises the head 10 and the folding arms at to such height as to permit a new carton body to be moved to initial position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The cam El acts in suitably timed relation to the movements of the sleeves l6 and I? to raise the cross head 58 and the mechanism carried thereby above the carton extensions to the initial position illustrated in Fig. 1 preparatory to a subsequent assembling operation.

As the rotation of the driving shaft approaches completion of one revolution the brake is appliedto the arcuate end of the arm 93 On the driving shaft 62 and at the same time the bolt 9'! engages theunder surface of the pawl-releasing arm 96, thereby raising the pawl-releasing arm and disengaging the pawl 89 from the recess 88 in'the disk 81 so that the rotation of the driving shaft $2 is accurately arrested and forming mechanisms operated thereby held in the upraised position above described.

Downward movement of the head it! of the forming mechanism in forcing the closure member 2t and its supporting disk l9 downwardly to permit the wrapping of the carton extension about the locking ring also forces the rod 2 I downwardly to cause its nut 21 to press the locking plunger 35 downwardly until its pin 35 is engaged in the slot til of. the locking lever 36. The locking plunger 39 is held below the extensions 23 of the sleeve 22 so that the turret I2 can be rotated about the standard 9 to a position in which the assembled carton can be removed and the next loaded spindle brought into assembling position. When the turret I2 is thus rotated the sleeve extension 23 engages the end portion of the lever 36 and so rocks it as to release the looking plunger 3i) so that when the next loaded carton spindle is caused to approach assembling position the locking plunger 38 will be normally positioned by the spring it! properly to be engaged by the extension 23 of the next loaded spindle and held in assembling position in the manner heretofore described.

In the present construction the locking plunger 30 is automatically released when a carrier is moved away from assembling position. It will be noted (Fig. '7) that the upper end of the lever 36 extends a short distance above the top of the boss 29 in which the locking plunger is mounted so that when the plunger 30 is held in depressed position by engagement of the pin 35 in the slot 40 in the lever 36 the extension 23 of the spindle sleeve may pass over the boss. When the turret is rotated to move the next loaded spindle to assembling position the extension 23 of the spindle sleeve will engage the upper end portion of the lever 36, thereby rocking it about its shaft 37 against the tension of the spring 39 sufficiently to disengage the pin 35 from the slot 40 in the lever 35, thereby enabling the spring 3| to raise the locking plunger 30 to normal position preparatory to engaging the next succeeding spindle upon further rotation of the turret. During such rotation the lower end of the sleeve extension 23 will pass over the end of the lever 36 and permit the spring 39 to restore the lever 36 to normal position, as shown in Fig. 7. It is therefore obvious that by reason of the construction above described assemblage of cartons may be performed rapidly and with a minimum effort upon the part of the operator as all he is required to do is to place a carton body and the closure members therefor upon a spindle at one station, swing the loaded spindle to assembling remove the assembled carton from its spindle at another station, the loading and erations being performed during the time required for the operation of the assembling mechanism.

It will be understood that the construction and the closure member at the baseof'th'ebody' her from the locking ring, means for folding the" body extensions around the lockingring and means for causing the closure member toclamp the end portions ofsaid extensions against the' locking ring.

2. A machine for assembling containers of the class described which comprises means for-supporting'the tubular body of the container in open position, yieldable meansfor supporting the lock-' ing ring and the closure member at the base of the body extensions, forming mechanism reciprocable axially of said body having means operable thereby to separate the closure member fromthe locking ring and then to fold the body extensions around the locking ring and to cause the yieldable closure supporting means to clamp the body extensions between the closure member and the locking ring.

3. A machine for assembling containers of the class described comprising a plurality of tubular spindles having carriers for respectively 'supporting a tubular container body and vertically movable means for supporting the closure members therefor movable successively into and out of assembling position, spring actuated means adapted to be engaged by the lower end of a spindle for automatically looking a loaded carrierin assembling position when moved to such position, downwardly movable forming mechanism for as sembling the closure members upon the body and means operable by the downward movement of said closure supporting member for releasing said carrier locking means upon completion of the assembling operation to enable the assembled container to be moved to a position where it can" be readily removed from its carrier.

4. A machine for assembling containers of the class described comprising a plurality of tubular spindles having carriers for respectively supporting a tubular container body and vertically mov-' able means for supporting the closure members therefor movablesuccessively into and out of as-' sembling position, spring actuated locking means adapted to engage the lower end of'a spindle when moved to assembling position, and means for assembling the closure members upon the body when in assembling position and automatically operable means actuated by said locking means when moved to locking position for starting the operation of the assembling means when the con tainers are moved to assembling position and conversely for arresting the operation of the ass em-' bling means upon completion of the assemblage of the container.

5. A machine for assembling containers of the class described comprising a plurality of carriers for respectively supporting a tubular container body and the closure members therefor movable successively into and out of assembling position, means for looking a carrier in assembling position, reciprocable forming mechanism for assembling the closure members upon the body when in assembling position, and means automatically operable by said carrier locking means forstarting the operation of the forming mechanisms when a container is moved to assembling position and means operable 1y intoand out of assembling position, means normally operable when a loaded carrier is moved to assembling position to lock it therein, forming mechanism and means for actuating the same to assemble the closure members upon the body when in assembling position, means operable by said forming mechanism for unlocking the carrier-locking means at the completion of the assembling operation, and means operable upon movement of said carrier away from assembling position to restore said carrier-locking means to normal position preparatory to locking the next succeeding loaded carrier when moved to assembling position.

'I. A machine for assembling cartons of the class described comprising a turret having a plurality of spindles provided respectively with means for supporting the tubular body and closure members of the carton, each spindle having an extension projecting below the turret, spindle-locking means located in assembling position having a spring actuated plunger with a beveled upper end adapted to be forced downwardly when a spindle is moved to assembling position and provided with means to engage the spindle extension, vertically reciprocable forming mechanisms, and meansfor actuating the same to assemble the closure members upon its body when in assembling position, means operable by the forming mechanism for forcing the plunger downwardly to disengage it from the spindle extension at the completion of the operation of said forming means, means for locking the plunger in depressed position operable by said spindle extension to release said plunger locking means as the turret is rotated to place the next loaded spindle in assembling position.

8. A machine for assembling containers of the class described which comprises means for supporting the tubular body of the container in open position, yieldable means for supporting the locking ring and closure member at the base of the body extensions, forming mechanisms movable axially relatively to the container body having means respectively operable successively during said axial movement to bend the extensions inwardly, to fold the extensions around the locking ring, and means cooperating with said forming mechanism to clamp the closure member upon the portions of the extensions which underlie the locking ring.

9. A machine for assembling containers of the class described which comprises means for supporting the tubular body of the container in open position, yieldable means for supporting the looking ring and closure member at the base of the body extensions, forming mechanisms movable axially relatively to the container body having means respectively operable successively during said axial movement to space the closure member from said locking ring to bend said extensions inwardly, to fold the extensions around the locking ring, and cooperating with said forming mechanism to clamp the body extensions between the closure member and the locking ring.

10, A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond ioldable around said ring, comprising a circular series of carton-supporting members movable successively to a closure-assembling position, forming mechanism reciprocable in axial alinement with the carton having respectively members operable successively during said axial movement in one direction to bend said extensions inwardly, to fold the extensions aroundsaid ring, and to clamp the extensions upon said ring, and means automatically operable upon positioning a carton-supporting member in assembling position to lock said carton-supporting member therein, and means operable by said locking mechanism to actuate said forming mechanism and thereby cause movement of said forming mechanism in a, direction to assemble the closure upon the body.

11. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comprising a circular series of carton-supporting members movable successively to a closure-assembling. position, forming mechanism reciprocable in axial alinement with the carton having respectively members operable successively during said axial movement in one direction to bend said extensions inwardly, to fold the extensions around said ring, and to clamp the extensions upon said ring, spring actuated locking means automatically operable upon positioning a carton-supporting member in assembling position to engage and lock said carton-supporting member therein, and means operable by said locking mechanism when moved to locking position to actuate said forming mechanism and thereby cause movement of said forming mechanism in a downward direction to assemble the closure upon the body, and means operable by further downward movement of said forming mechanism after completion of said extension folding movement of the forming mechanism to depress said spring actuated locking means and release it from engagement with the carton supporting member and thereupon to discontinue the actuation of the forming mechanism.

12. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comprising a base, means mounted thereon for rigidly supporting the other end of the carton body provided with means for supporting the closure member in proximity to said ring, forming mechanism reciprocable in axial alinement with said carton having a member provided with annular means to bend said extensions inwardly, and a head, concentric therewith and movable relatively thereto, having means for folding the inwardly bent extensions about said ring, and means for actuating said annular bending member and said head in proper sequence.

13. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comprising a base, means mounted thereon for rigidly supporting the other end of the carton body provided with yieldable means slidably fitting within the carton body for supporting the closure member in proximity to said ring, forming mechanism reciprocably mounted in axial alinement with said carton having a circular member provided with a beveled lower wall forming a guide to engage the outer surface of said carton body, and an upper wall extending inwardly beyond said body, and a circular coiled spring between said walls yieldably to engage said extensions and bend them inwardly, a head concentric therewith and movable relatively thereto having means to engage and space said closure member from said ring and having means for folding the inwardly bent extensions about said for supporting the closure member'and a locking ring, means for actuating said annular bending member extending downwardly from said sleeve, member and said head in proper sequence to fold a yieldable locking plunger mounted in said base the extensions around said ring and to cause the having a vertical socket to engage the locking the body extensions upon said ring. member of said spindle and to be depressed 14. A machine for assembling closures on tubuthereby upon rotation of said turret to position lar carton bodies having means for supporting a a spindle in assembling position and thereupon locking ring near one end and extensions proto cause the spindle to be engaged in said socket.

jecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, 17. A machine for assembling closures on tubucomprising a frame having a base, standards exlar carton bodies having means for supporting tending vertically therefrom, and a yoke cona locking ring near one end and extensions pmfor rigidly supporting said carton body vertically 5 comprising a frame having a base, standards between said standards with its extensions upextending vertically therefrom and a yoke conpermost, a closure support resiliently mounted meeting the upper ends of the standards, vertiupon said body-supporting means to yield a, precally reciprocable forming mechanism mounted determined amount, forming mechanism comon said frame having means respectively operable prisingamember slidably mounted on said standupon downwaid movement in one direction to ards having annular means for bending said exbend and fold the carton extensions around the her and upon downward movement to space the 5 rigidly supporting a carton with its extensions is arrested to fold said body extensions around 3 in axial alinemeiit with said forming mechanism members of the forming mechanism in proper able upon engagement of said complementary sequence. locking means to actuate said forming mechanism 15. Amachine for assembling closures on tubuto fold said extensions around said ring and lar carton bodies having means for supporting 3 thereafter to force the closure-supporting means a locking ring near one end and extensions prodownwardly, and means operable by the downjecting therebeyond foldable around said ring ward movement of the closure-supporting means comprising a frame having a base, standards to release the locking means and thereby permit extending vertically therefrom, and a yoke conrotation of said turret to position another spindle necting the upper ends of said standards, means in carton-assembling position.

for rigidly supporting said carton body vertically 18. A machine for assembling closures on tububetween said standards with its extensions upperlar ar on bodies having means for supporting most, a closure support resiliently mounted upon a locking ring near one end and extensions prosaid body-supporting means to yield a predeterjecting therebeyond foldable around said ring,

mined amount, forming mechanism comprising comprising a frame having a base, standards a member slidably mounted on said standards extending vertically therefrom and a yoke conhaving annular means for bending said extenheating the upper ends of the standards, vertisupport having means to engage the closure memupon downward movement in one direction to closure member from the locking ring, means relocking ring, a turret rotatably supported upon ciprocably mounted on said head provided with said base having a circular series of carton-supfolding arms operable by engagement with said porting spindles each provided with means for head when downward movement of said head is rigidly supporting a carton with its extensions secured thereto engaging cam followers on the axial alinement with said forming mechanism 16. A machine for assembling a closure upon currently to force the closure-supporting means one end of a caiton body having means for supdownwardly, means operable by the downward mounted on one of said standards having a ciri carton-assembling position, and means opercular series of spindles extending vertically thereable upon downward movement of said forming from and rotatably movable into assembling posimechanism and said closure-supporting means to tion each having rigid means for supporting a release said locking means upon completion of carton body and a yieldable sleeve within and said movement. extending upwardly therefrom having a plate 19. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting alockingring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comprising a frame having a base, standards extending vertically therefrom, forming mechanism re'ciprocably mounted on said standards having a circular series of pivotally mounted members for: folding said extensions around said ring, a turret rotatably mounted on one of said standards having a circular series of spindles extending vertically upwardly therefrom and rotatably movable into assembling position each having rigid means for supporting a carton body and a yieldable sleeve extending upwardly therefrom having at its upper end a plate for supporting the closure, a locking member extending downwardly from said spindle, a spring actuated locking plunger mounted in said base in axial alinement with said forming mechanism having a verticalsocket to engage the locking member of said spindle and an inclined upper surface adapted to be engaged by the locking member of the spindle and to be depressed thereby upon rotation of a spindle of said turret to assembling position, means for actuating the forming mechanism to cause the members thereof to fold the extensions of said carton around the locking ring and to force downwardly the closure-supporting plate and sleeve, and a rod connected to said closure-supporting plate and sleeveextending axially of said spindle operable upon downward movement of the closure-supporting plate to force the locking plunger downwardly out of engagement with the locking member of the spindle, means for releasably holding the locking plunger in depressed position, whereby upon upward movement of the forming mechanism andthe closure-supporting spindle the turret willbe free for. rotation and means for releasing said plunger-holding means when the turret is' rotated to move the cartonsupporting spindle from assembling position.

'20.; A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comprising means for rigidly supporting a carton body and locking ring in assembling position and having means for yieldably supporting a closure member in proximity to the locking ring, forming mechanism reciprocable axially of said cartonsupporting means having means respectively for bending said extensions inwardly and a relatively movable head concentric therewith having means forfolding the inwardly bent extensions around said ring, a rotatable shaft having cams and means operable thereby during one revolution of said shaft to impart relative downward movement to said extension-bending means and said head successively to bend and fold said extensions around the locking ring and thereafter to raise said forming mechanism, a continuously operated driving mechanism rotatably mounted upon said shaft, cooperating clutch members on said shaft and driving member, and means for causing engagement of said clutch members at the beginning of and disengagement thereof at the end of one complete revolution of said shaft.

21. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comprising means for rigidly supporting a carton body and lockingjring in assemblingposition and having means for yieldably supporting a closure m er np ioximit othe. locki r iaiormin mechanism reciprocable axially of said carton-.- supporting means having means respectively for bending said extensions inwardly and a relatively movable head concentric therewith having means,- for folding the inwardly bent extensions around said ring, a rotatable shaft having cams andmeans operable thereby during one revolution of said shaft to impart relative downward movement to said extension-bending means and said head successively to bend and fold said extensions around the locking ring and thereafter to raise said forming mechanism, a continuously operated driving mechanism rotatably mounted upon saidshaft, cooperating clutch members on said. shaft and driving member, means for causing engagement of said clutch members at the beginning of prising a frame and disengagement thereof at the end of-one complete revolution of said shaft, and braking means operable to resist rotation of said shaft immediately in advance of the completion of a single revolution thereof.

22. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyond foldable around said ring, comhaving a base, standards extending vertically upwardly therefrom, a cam shaft mountedon said frame, forming mechanism having relatively movable members for wrappingthe extensions of said carton about a locking ring reciprocably mounted on said frame, cams on said cam shaft and means operable thereby to actuate the respective members of said forming mechanism in proper sequence, continuously rotating driving means rotatably mounted on said cam shaft, a one-revolution clutch mechanism for connecting said driving means with said shaft, a turret mounted on said base having a plurality of carton-supporting spindles movable successively into assembling position in axial alineme-nt with said forming mechanism, yieldable means adapted to engage and look a carton-supporting spindle when moved to assembling position, and means operable by the movement of said spindle-locking means to cause engagement of said onerevolution clutch mechanism with the rotatable driving means whereby assemblage of the closures upon the carton will be effected by a single reciprocation of said forming mechanism.

23. A machine for assembling closures on tubular carton bodies having means for supporting a locking ring near one end and extensions projecting therebeyondv foldable about said ring, comprising a frame having a base, standards extending vertically therefrom, a cam shaft mounted in said frame, forming mechanism having relatively movable members for wrapping the extensions of said carton about the locking ring,

reciprocably mounted on said frame, cams on said cam shaft and means operable thereby to actuate the respective members of said forming mechanism in proper sequence, a turret mounted on said base having arms provided with vertical carton-supporting spindles successively movable into axial alinement with said forming mechanism, means mounted on said base having springactuated means to engage and lock said turret when a carton-supporting spindle is moved to assembling position, means for rotating said cam shaft including an electrically controlled single revolution. clutch, and means operable byv the movement of said spindle-locking means when engaged by a spindle to complete the electric circuit of said. clutch-controlling. mechanismv and cam shaft,

thereby to cause .one-revolutionpf the 24. A machine for assembling closures on tubuposition, means for rotating said cam shaft inlar carton bodies having means for supporting a eluding a solenoid-controlled single revolution locking ring near one end and extensions proclutch, means operable by the movement of said jecting therebeyond foldable about said ring, spindle-locking means when engaged by a spindle comprising a frame having a base, standards exto complete the electric circuit of said solenoid, tending vertically therefrom, a cam shaft thereby to cause a single revolution of said cam mounted in said frame, forming mechanism havshaft, and means operable by the downward ing relatively movable members for wrapping movement of said forming mechanism to release the extensions of said carton about the locking said spindle-locking means and thereby break the ring reciprocably mounted on said frame, cams 10 solenoid circuit.

on said cam shaft and means operable thereby LEON E. LA BOMBARD. to actuate the respective members of said forming mechanism in proper sequence, a turret REFERENCES CITED mounted on Bald base havmg arms provlded with The following references are of record in the vertical carton-supporting spindles having means 15 fil f this patent:

ity to the locking ring and adapted to be forced UNITED STATES PATENTS downwardly by said forming mechanism, said Number Name Date spindles being successively movable into axial 5 5 77 Hulbert Oct 6 1925 alinement with said forming mechanism, means 20 1 975 5 Kmgsbury aL Sept 25, 1934 mounted on said base having spring actuated 2,053,400 Kingsbury Sept 8, 1936 means to engage and lock said turret when a 2,114,234 Barnes Apr. 19 1933 

